Is an all wheel drive or four wheel drive vehicle better in the winter/snow?

I recommend Subaru, AWD and 4WD are basically the same.

Erica M

Unless you have a vehicle with more than 4 wheels...they should be the same...

dr_layne

AWD systems operate automatically. When a tire starts losing traction, the system compensates by supplying power to the wheels that still have traction.

4WD systems require you to actually engage the 4wd system unless there's an automatic system which cases acts like an AWD system. The disadvantage to AWD systems is they cannot be disengaged if there is a problem with the transfer case or front differentials. You can drive a 4WD vehicle in standard 2WD if the 4WD system fails.

Blake M

Ok, I live in northern BC Canada, so I deal with a lot of snow, lol. Personally I feel a lot more comfortable in a 4wd truck (because that's all I've ever owned) but I have driven a couple of front wheel drive cars and they are just fine as long as you get good tires. That's all it really comes down to... it doesn't matter what kind of vehicle you have (sure some are better than others) but as long as you have a good set of winter tires your good to go.

ky509

They are both the same. The term 4 wheel drive and all wheel drive is deceiving.

If vehicles were true all wheel drive and true 4 wheel drive you wouldn`t be able to drive them.

What is actually taking place is one tire on each end of the vehicle is a pulling tire. If it stops pulling and starts spinning then the other tire on the same axle will start pulling. At no time can all four tires be pulling un less they have somethiing called a spool installed and your spider gears removed, which is some times done on high performance off road vehicles.

Any car you see running down the road or any tuck for that mattergenerallyl only has one tire doing all the work. If that tire looses traction then the other tire on the same axle will take over.

In some of the older cars back in the 60`s and 70`s and some oftoday'ss pick up trucks have what is called aprotractionn third member rear end. These protraction rears still have some slip built into them so they can turn corners. So one tire is still loose for a short distance, but after a few feet both wheels will start pulling. This setup is generally in work trucks that go out into the mud and snow a lot doing work related chores.

Bottom line is. Either vehicle you mentioned probably has whats called an open drive axle and an open drive axle only has one tire pulling at a time on either end of the car.

Like I said 4x4 and alll wheel drive is very deceiving to the averge person that hasn`t been around the inner workings of cars. The most you will have pulling on those cars at one time is 2 wheels one on each end of the vehicle and generally on opposite corners. If the left front is pulling then the right rear will also be pulling. The ones not pulling are just along for the ride untill one of the pulling tires happens to loose traction.

"Bubba Lee"

just depends on on what vehicle you plan on buying?If you want a car your looking for Awd but if you want a truck or SUV then think 4wd.OH!I see now you want a car so go Awd.hey try toyota they always have good Awd systems in their cars.

kelly_f_1999

awd would be cheaper to drive and both wil do about as good ive never needed either to get a round in winter driving its more how you drive not what you drive

brattinello 18

def..4 wheel drive

Laurence B

Audi Quattro. Awd is the same as 4wd, unless you want to buy a big rig.

indianguy

Ok, AWD is all 4 wheels getting power all the time. 4WD is where you have to put the car into 4wd and can't drive more than about 30 MPH safely. Normally 4wd vehicles are in 2wd setup and have to put into 4wd mode.
I would recomend getting a Subaru Impreza AWD or a Subaru Legacy AWD. They both get good gas mileage and are great in bad weather.

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